410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread**

Does anyone have a source for replacement wiper blades?

JVM - hope this helps:

http://store.amequipment shaft-hardware-kit-p-363.html


My 410 uses the "truck/bus" style "wet" arms, with a double flat post and knurled nut mount, and bolt on blades. Rick (mrcomputerman) sent me the following link:

http://www.dieselequipment.com/contact/

Their special phone # for Wipers is:
1-877-307-7059 (Wiper Technologies)
The part #'s for my 410 are:
Arms 201513 ($20.96 each)
Blades TV6-24B (~$16 each)
My arms are 24" and my blades are 24".

My dealer wanted ~$50 each for the arms. I also found them on Amazon for ~$50 as well...

Thanks Carter!

Boulz said:

Posted the foam windshield gasket info, lmk if you have other questions. For the wiper arm it is part number MM501125 and the blade is MM501126. They are 26”. The marina sourced them so not sure where he got them but I can ask if that part number doesn’t help.

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Windshield parts ordered. Thank you!
Not having as much luck with the wiper arms. Can you give me the contact info for your marina please?

On my 95 290 sundancer took them off and got them at Auto Plus so assume napa would have them, they were tractor trailer blades and arms but you need to take yours there to match up

Boulz said:

Here is the structure of the bow cushions.... heavy sheet plastic, stainless hardware. Zipper secures cushion in channel on bottom, cushion slides onto back of structure into a pocket at top back of cushion, couple snaps on each side/back mid cushion and on top/back.

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Thank you. Looks great and simple enough. Hope you don't mind but I may steal that design from you

Here is an old thread with good info on wiper arms, blades and parts. AME was very helpful. http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/who-is-the-expert-on-windshield-wipers-and-arms.76283/

Boat Drinks said:

I think this has been discussed all ready, but I cannot find it anywhere. What have people done with the TV/VCR above the fridge? I removed the set, but am not sure what to do with the space.

Thanks for any advice.

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Mine was replaced with a toaster oven. Bought it that way and we actually use it. My electronic guys says he does a lot of backlit wine racks in there, which would be cool too.

Ordered a set of Wiper Technologies WT6-24 blades from RVAutoparts.com for 18.13 each. Shipping to me in NY is a little over 8 bucks, but not a bad overall price.
Hopefully they work out.

Does anyone know the square footage of the entire cockpit area? We're thinking about changing the flooring and are trying to get a good estimate if the cost.

Thanks

Boat Drinks said:

Does anyone know the square footage of the entire cockpit area? We're thinking about changing the flooring and are trying to get a good estimate if the cost.

Thanks

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I can tell you the 410DA which is similar is 87 sq/ft.

-Tom

Thanks TNT

Wiper arms ordered. AM Equipment 26" part # 352-0870. Crossing fingers. Thank you C. T.

We are looking at a '98 Sundancer 400 with the 3116 CAT Diesels, 1500 hours. I've never owned a diesel boat before. What kind of regular or recurring maintenance costs do you all see on yours?

This boat is a big step up from our 24' runabout, so I don't want to be surprised at what we are getting ourselves into. I have the insurance and marina costs figured out, but really looking for the mechanical costs such as oil changes, other regular maintenance, etc.

yobub, if you read through this thread, there are several great posts with exactly what you are looking for. Costs at a marina versus doing maintenance yourself etc, etc etc. I know it is a crapload of pages but the info is well worth the effort. Frank Websters saved posts are gold and there are a lot of great threads in the 450 Dancer official thread that are helpful to our type of boat too. Great boat and if maintained well are bulletproof.

Yobub, I’m on my first diesel boat too. Just kicking off my second season with it.
I was very apprehensive about diesels, more like scared, but now I’m very happy I took the plunge.
Started by looking to move up to a 380 with gas motors and went with a diesel 410 instead.
Still a little nervous about what a bill would look like if I had to replace one of the Cats, but the general consensus is that they live long when maintained properly.
Then again, while not as expensive as a diesel, 8.1 big block gas motors aren’t cheap either.
I’m loving the way the boat handles with diesels and the fuel burn is pretty close to what I was burning on my old 300 Sundancer with gassers. Not bad for pretty much twice the weight in a whole lot more boat.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the diesel generator seems like it uses very little fuel.
You pay more for a used diesel boat than the gas version but you’re likely to get it back on resale so that’s kind of a wash.
Like anything, the more maintenance you can do yourself the better.
It seems like Cat has got the market sewn up on some maintenance items, but they don’t beat you over the head as much as I thought they would, and after a rough early experience that turned out to be an anomaly, I’ve found a couple of pretty helpful parts guys at my local dealer.
Changing oil/oil filters, fuel filters, engine zincs, inspecting belts, hoses, coolant, and changing impellers are all required just like on gas boats. The diesels hold about 5 times the amount of oil, and the OEM Cat filters are more money, but the time to do it took me about the same as I spent on my gas motors.
I considered the extra cash spent for more oil and pricier filters a pretty small price to pay for the better fuel burn and handling.
Not dealing with spark plugs is a plus for the diesels.
The aftercooler zincs on my 3126’s are a pain in the a$$, but I don’t think you have that issue on the 3116’s.
Another plus for me around here is that it is a little cheaper, maybe 50 cents a gallon, for me to buy diesel delivered to my boat at my dock than gas would be.
Frank Webster has posted a ton of great info about Cat’s and 3116’s are what he has.

Cocktail Time said:

yobub, if you read through this thread, there are several great posts with exactly what you are looking for. Costs at a marina versus doing maintenance yourself etc, etc etc. I know it is a crapload of pages but the info is well worth the effort. Frank Websters saved posts are gold and there are a lot of great threads in the 450 Dancer official thread that are helpful to our type of boat too. Great boat and if maintained well are bulletproof.

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Thanks - I searched for the info and didn't find cost estimates, but I will go back and read through. Sometimes searches don't always hit the right keywords.

My first diesel as well. As JV stated the maint. items are fairly simple and now with the added ER room I can get to most all the service points, easier then getting to them on my 454's in my 330DA.

Here is what I've paid for some items last year. If you have the Reverso Oil Change pump (which I think all the diesel boats do) it's simple. I have the 3126's.

Reverso Impeller Rebuild Kit (Amazon) $35 - You might not need it but good back up to have on hand, as Gary (Four Suns) has said they give up the ghost in the middle of an oil change, then what?.
Cat Oil 170-5262 14 gals $22.27ea $311.78
Cat Filter x2 324-2598 $21.86ea $43.56
Zinc Kit x2 - (3126) $45 ea $90 (3116 has fewer zincs $31ea)

Injector Replacement (had an injector fail on my port engine) since they are mechanical and the extra labor and cost of material is minimal to replace one vs. 6 I replaced all 6. Labor + Material - $2438 (Cat Dealer), the parts are about $880 for reman. injectors. So subtract that out and you should have the Labor for the 1000 hr service per engine to reset the fuel timing on the mechanical injectors.

Back on the water this year.... Some items that I was not planning on

Leaking Sea Star pump at helm - $635 (and a pint of blood trying to free the nut on the steering wheel...) Not diesel related but I had to vent...

Like Gary said "If it ain't broke, your not boating!"

Injector failures are rare on 3116/3126 Caterpillars.

What isn't so rare is the injector seat leaking (allows cylinder gasses to pass the injector and causes air in the fuel gallery which kills all the cylinders after the failed injector seat).....@ 1500 hours, the engines have probably already had that issue. Once it occurs, the injector seats must be reamed and the injectors reseated.

Replace coolant .....upon purchase or every 5 years........$237

Clean aftercoolers (3116 only)- every 1000 hours replace all hoses and hose clamps
on the top of the engine, replace thermostats and radiator caps, gaskets, o-rings,
seals ...all from Caterpillar....... $525
Labor....from local Cat dealer............... $1800

Oil change (annually or every 250 hours) costs vary by location but the costs in post #1558 are reasonable
if you use Cat SAEO. If you use Rotella T1 another Cat approved oil, the oil cost is about $150 or 1/2 that of SAEO.
DO NOT use aftermarket filters...Cat filters are superior and usually cheaper.
Change Transmission fluid and wash filters............Dexron III ATF $42
Wash filters mineral spirits $6

Change fuel filters (annually or every 250 hours)..............Cat Primary filters $40
Single Racors or $15
Dual Racors $30
Air Filter Cleaning Kit (annually) $20

Seawater Pump impeller replaacement (every 300 hours but varies with temperatures,
useage, etc. $150





What you do not ever need to deal with are exhaust riser and manifold replacement, spug wire replacement, plug replacement, rusted timing covers,

Thanks fall - very helpful information. The offer is off to the broker, and let's keep our fingers crossed!